Taking a Break at Work | Learn German in English

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Use Taking a Break at Work to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich habe heute viel Arbeit.

ikh HAH-buh HOY-tuh feel AR-bite. I have a lot of work today.

Du siehst müde aus, also mach eine Pause.

doo zeest MYOO-duh owss, AHL-zoh mahkh EYE-nuh POW-zuh. You look tired, so take a break.

Ich mache mir Sorgen, weil die Frist näher kommt.

ikh MAH-khuh meer ZOR-gen, vyle dee frist NEH-uh kohmt. I'm worried because the deadline is approaching.

Wenn du kurz weggehst, kannst du danach besser arbeiten.

vehn doo koorts VEHk-gayst, kahnst doo dah-NAHKH BEH-ser AR-bye-ten. Stepping away can help you work better afterward.

Vielleicht sollte ich meine Augen eine Minute lang schließen.

fee-LYKHT ZOHL-tuh ikh MY-nuh OW-gen EYE-nuh mee-NOO-tuh lahng SHLEE-sen. Maybe I should rest my eyes for a minute.

Trink Wasser und atme eine Minute lang langsam.

trink VAH-ser oont AHT-muh EYE-nuh mee-NOO-tuh lahng LAHNG-zahm. Drink water and breathe slowly for a minute.

Dann kann ich den letzten Teil beenden.

dahn kahn ikh dehn LETS-ten tyle beh-EN-den. Then I can finish the last section.

Ich sehe mir den Entwurf an, während du dich ausruhst.

ikh ZAY-uh meer dehn ent-VOORF ahn, VAY-rent doo dikh OWS-roost. I will review the draft while you rest.

Word by Word

Ich In „Ich habe heute viel Arbeit“, „Ich“ means “I,” the person speaking. It is used before the verb when the speaker describes their own situation. New example: „Ich bin müde“ means “I am tired.”

habe In „Ich habe heute viel Arbeit“, „habe“ means “have” and states that the speaker has a lot of work. The form comes from haben and is used with „Ich“. New example: „Ich habe Zeit“ means “I have time.”

heute In „Ich habe heute viel Arbeit“, „heute“ means “today” and identifies when the work applies. It commonly appears with a statement about an action or situation on the current day. New example: „Heute arbeite ich“ means “Today I am working.”

viel In „Ich habe heute viel Arbeit“, „viel“ means “a lot of” and describes a large amount of work. It is placed before the noun phrase it describes. New example: „viel Zeit“ means “a lot of time.”

Arbeit In „Ich habe heute viel Arbeit“, „Arbeit“ means “work,” referring to the tasks the speaker has to do. It is used after „viel“ to describe the amount of work. New example: „Die Arbeit ist wichtig“ means “The work is important.”

Du In „Du siehst müde aus“, „Du“ means “you” and addresses one person directly. It is used when speaking informally to that person. New example: „Du bist müde“ means “You are tired.”

siehst In „Du siehst müde aus“, „siehst“ contributes the meaning “look” or “appear.” Together with „aus“, the expression describes how someone appears to the speaker. New example: „Du siehst glücklich aus“ means “You look happy.”

müde In „Du siehst müde aus“, „müde“ means “tired” and describes the person’s apparent condition. It follows the expression „siehst ... aus“ to say how someone looks. New example: „Ich bin müde“ means “I am tired.”

aus In „Du siehst müde aus“, „aus“ completes the expression „siehst ... aus“, meaning “look” or “appear.” It does not mean “look” by itself in this sentence. New example: „Sie sieht krank aus“ means “She looks ill.”

also In „also mach eine Pause“, „also“ means “so” and introduces the suggestion that follows from the listener looking tired. It commonly connects a reason or observation with a conclusion or recommendation. New example: „Also gehen wir“ means “So we are going.”

mach In „also mach eine Pause“, „mach“ tells one person directly to take or make a break. It is the direct suggestion used with „Du“. New example: „Mach eine Pause“ means “Take a break.”

eine In „mach eine Pause“, „eine“ means “a” and introduces the singular noun „Pause“. It appears directly before that noun in the suggestion. New example: „eine Minute“ means “a minute.”

Pause In „mach eine Pause“, „Pause“ means “break,” referring to a short rest from work. The reusable expression „eine Pause machen“ means “to take a break.” New example: „Wir machen eine Pause“ means “We are taking a break.”

mache In „Ich mache mir Sorgen“, „mache“ contributes the verb meaning “make” in the expression for being worried. The full expression „mache mir Sorgen“ means that the speaker is worried; the meaning belongs to the construction as a whole. New example: „Ich mache mir Sorgen“ means “I am worried.”

mir In „Ich mache mir Sorgen“, „mir“ means “to me” or “for me” and identifies whose worries are involved. It is part of the reusable expression „sich Sorgen machen“ or „mir Sorgen machen“. New example: „Das macht mir Sorgen“ means “That worries me.”

Sorgen In „Ich mache mir Sorgen“, „Sorgen“ means “worries” and forms part of the expression meaning “be worried.” Keep it together with „mache mir“, because the whole construction expresses the speaker’s concern. New example: „Sie macht sich Sorgen“ means “She is worried.”

weil In „weil die Frist näher kommt“, „weil“ means “because” and introduces the reason for the speaker’s worry. In this type of clause, the conjugated verb appears at the end, as in „näher kommt“. New example: „Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin“ means “I am staying home because I am tired.”

die In „die Frist“, „die“ means “the” and introduces the specific deadline being discussed. It is placed directly before „Frist“. New example: „die Arbeit“ means “the work.”

Frist In „die Frist näher kommt“, „Frist“ means “deadline,” the time limit that is approaching in the dialogue. It is commonly used with a time limit or an action that must be completed. New example: „Die Frist ist morgen“ means “The deadline is tomorrow.”

näher In „die Frist näher kommt“, „näher“ means “closer” and shows that the deadline is approaching. Together with „kommt“, it describes movement toward the present time. New example: „Der Termin kommt näher“ means “The appointment is getting closer.”

kommt In „die Frist näher kommt“, „kommt“ means “comes” and, with „näher“, expresses that the deadline is approaching. The form is used with the singular subject „die Frist“. New example: „Der Tag kommt näher“ means “The day is getting closer.”

Wenn In „Wenn du kurz weggehst“, „Wenn“ means “if” or “when” and introduces the condition or situation for the advice. It begins a clause whose verb appears at the end, as in „weggehst“. New example: „Wenn du Zeit hast, ruf mich an“ means “If you have time, call me.”

kurz In „Wenn du kurz weggehst“, „kurz“ means “briefly” and limits how long the person steps away. It is placed with the verb phrase to describe a short duration. New example: „Warte kurz“ means “Wait a moment.”

weggehst In „Wenn du kurz weggehst“, „weggehst“ means “go away” or “step away” briefly from the work. It is used with „du“ and appears at the end of the „Wenn“-clause. New example: „Wenn du kurz weggehst, kann ich anfangen“ means “If you step away briefly, I can start.”

kannst In „kannst du danach besser arbeiten“, „kannst“ means “can” and expresses that the listener is able to work better afterward. It is followed by the infinitive „arbeiten“. New example: „Du kannst jetzt gehen“ means “You can go now.”

danach In „kannst du danach besser arbeiten“, „danach“ means “afterward” and refers to the time after stepping away. It commonly links one action or event to what follows it. New example: „Danach trinke ich Wasser“ means “Afterward I drink water.”

besser In „danach besser arbeiten“, „besser“ means “better” and describes improved work after the break. It modifies the way the person can work in this sentence. New example: „Jetzt geht es besser“ means “Now it is better.”

arbeiten In „kannst du danach besser arbeiten“, „arbeiten“ means “work.” It remains in this infinitive form after „kannst“, and the object of the activity is understood from the work context. New example: „Ich muss arbeiten“ means “I have to work.”

Vielleicht In „Vielleicht sollte ich meine Augen eine Minute lang schließen“, „Vielleicht“ means “maybe” and makes the speaker’s proposal tentative. It commonly introduces an idea the speaker is considering. New example: „Vielleicht komme ich später“ means “Maybe I will come later.”

sollte In „Vielleicht sollte ich meine Augen ... schließen“, „sollte“ means “should” and presents what the speaker thinks may be a good idea. It is followed by the infinitive „schließen“. New example: „Ich sollte mehr schlafen“ means “I should sleep more.”

meine In „meine Augen“, „meine“ means “my” and identifies the eyes as belonging to the speaker. It appears directly before the plural noun „Augen“. New example: „meine Hände“ means “my hands.”

Augen In „meine Augen ... schließen“, „Augen“ means “eyes,” the part of the body the speaker plans to close. It is used with „meine“ to refer to the speaker’s own eyes. New example: „Meine Augen sind müde“ means “My eyes are tired.”

Minute In „eine Minute lang“, „Minute“ means “minute,” a unit of time used to measure the rest period. It appears after „eine“ and before „lang“. New example: „Warte eine Minute“ means “Wait a minute.”

lang In „eine Minute lang“, „lang“ means “for the duration of” and shows that the action continues for one minute. The pattern „eine Minute lang“ is a reusable way to state duration. New example: „Ich schlafe eine Stunde lang“ means “I sleep for an hour.”

schließen In „meine Augen eine Minute lang schließen“, „schließen“ means “close,” referring to closing the speaker’s eyes. It is the infinitive used after „sollte“. New example: „Bitte schließen Sie die Tür“ means “Please close the door.”

Trink In „Trink Wasser“, „Trink“ directly tells one person to drink. It is used as a direct suggestion or instruction addressed to „du“. New example: „Trink einen Tee“ means “Drink a tea.”

Wasser In „Trink Wasser“, „Wasser“ means “water,” the drink being recommended. It follows „Trink“ as the thing the listener should drink. New example: „Ich trinke Wasser“ means “I drink water.”

und In „Trink Wasser und atme ... langsam“, „und“ means “and” and joins two instructions: drinking water and breathing slowly. It is used to connect actions in the same recommendation. New example: „Ich trinke Wasser und esse etwas“ means “I drink water and eat something.”

atme In „atme eine Minute lang langsam“, „atme“ tells one person to breathe. It is a direct instruction paired with „Trink“. New example: „Atme tief ein“ means “Breathe in deeply.”

langsam In „atme eine Minute lang langsam“, „langsam“ means “slowly” and describes the manner of breathing. It is placed with the verb to explain how the action should be done. New example: „Geh langsam“ means “Walk slowly.”

Dann In „Dann kann ich den letzten Teil beenden“, „Dann“ means “then” and marks what the speaker can do after resting. It commonly introduces the next step in a sequence. New example: „Dann gehe ich nach Hause“ means “Then I go home.”

kann In „Dann kann ich den letzten Teil beenden“, „kann“ means “can” and expresses the speaker’s ability to finish the section afterward. It is followed by the infinitive „beenden“. New example: „Ich kann helfen“ means “I can help.”

den In „den letzten Teil“, „den“ means “the” and introduces the specific section the speaker wants to finish. It appears before „letzten Teil“ in this object phrase. New example: „Ich lese den Text“ means “I read the text.”

letzten In „den letzten Teil“, „letzten“ means “last” and identifies the final section of the work. It appears directly before the noun „Teil“. New example: „der letzte Tag“ means “the last day.”

Teil In „den letzten Teil beenden“, „Teil“ means “part” or “section,” referring to one section of the work. The reusable phrase „einen Teil beenden“ means “finish a section.” New example: „Ich lese den ersten Teil“ means “I am reading the first part.”

beenden In „den letzten Teil beenden“, „beenden“ means “finish” or “complete” the section. It is the infinitive after „kann“. New example: „Ich muss die Arbeit beenden“ means “I have to finish the work.”

sehe In „Ich sehe mir den Entwurf an“, „sehe“ contributes the meaning “look at” as part of the expression „sehe ... an“. The full expression means that the speaker will review the draft. New example: „Ich sehe mir den Text an“ means “I look at the text.”

Entwurf In „Ich sehe mir den Entwurf an“, „Entwurf“ means “draft,” referring to the unfinished document that will be reviewed. It is the object of the expression „sehe ... an“. New example: „Der Entwurf ist fertig“ means “The draft is finished.”

an In „Ich sehe mir den Entwurf an“, „an“ completes the expression „sehe ... an“, meaning “look at” or “review.” It does not mean “at” independently in this sentence. New example: „Sie sieht sich den Plan an“ means “She looks at the plan.”

während In „während du dich ausruhst“, „während“ means “while” and introduces an action happening at the same time as the speaker’s review. It begins a clause with the verb at the end, as in „ausruhst“. New example: „Ich lese, während du arbeitest“ means “I read while you work.”

dich In „du dich ausruhst“, „dich“ refers back to „du“ and contributes the meaning “yourself” in the expression for resting. It is used together with „ausruhst“, not as a separate meaning of “rest”. New example: „Du setzt dich“ means “You sit down.”

ausruhst In „während du dich ausruhst“, „ausruhst“ means “rest” or “take a rest,” describing what the listener does during the review. It is used with the reflexive pronoun „dich“ and appears at the end of the „während“-clause. New example: „Du ruhst dich aus“ means “You rest.”

Grammar Points

sich etwas ansehen → ... ansehen

Ich sehe mir den Entwurf an.

ikh ZAY-uh meer dehn ent-VOORF ahn.

I review the draft.

Bei trennbaren Verben steht der Präfix im Hauptsatz am Ende: sehe ... an.

sich ausruhen

Du ruhst dich danach aus.

doo ROOST dookh dah-NAHKH owss.

You rest afterward.

Das Reflexivpronomen passt zum Subjekt: du → dich. Das Präfix aus steht am Satzende.

German Vocabulary

Arbeit noun

AR-bite work

Ich habe heute viel Arbeit.

Auge noun

OW-guh eye Augen

Meine Augen schließen.

besser adv

BEH-ser better

Du kannst danach besser arbeiten.

danach adv

dah-NAHKH afterward

Danach kannst du besser arbeiten.

Frist noun

frist deadline

Die Frist kommt näher.

müde adj

MYOO-duh tired

Du siehst müde aus.

näher kommen phrase

NEH-uh KOH-men to approach; to get closer näher kommt

Die Frist kommt näher.

Pause noun

POW-zuh break

Mach eine Pause.

schließen verb

SHLEE-sen to close

Meine Augen schließen.

sich Sorgen machen phrase

zikh ZOR-gen MAH-khen to worry mache mir Sorgen

Ich mache mir Sorgen.

Wasser noun

VAH-ser water

Trink Wasser.

weggehen verb

VEHK-gay-en to step away; to go away weggehst

Wenn du kurz weggehst

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I have a lot of work today.

Show Answer

Ich habe heute viel Arbeit.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

break

Show Answer

Pause

deadline

Show Answer

Frist

better

Show Answer

besser

to step away; to go away

Show Answer

weggehst